Bhubaneswar, Nov. 29: In what appears to be a move to pacify the agitated people of west Odisha — who have been pressing for the establishment of Indian Institute of Management in the region, the state government today announced setting up of an open university in Sambalpur.

Higher education minister Pradeep Panigrahi today announced this in the Assembly.

“The proposed open university in Sambalpur will be first of its kind in the state,” said Panigrahi.

“A provision of Rs 35 crore has already been made for the establishment of the proposed open university,” he said.

“The open university will go a long way in facilitating distance education and benefit the dropouts and students, who wish to pursue studies along with their jobs. The university will also contribute in training and research of for students and teachers, said the minister.

“The varsity will provide need-based quality education in the backward and tribal-dominated districts of the state,” Panigrahi said, adding that it was a step by the state government to eradicate the regional imbalance in Odisha.

It may be noted that the people of west Odisha have been holding protests demanding the establishment of the IIM in the district. The announcement by the state government to set up the varsity in Bhubaneswar was met with strong reactions from the local people, who took to streets and called for shutdowns.

Former vice-chancellor of Berhampur University Aditya Prashad Padhee welcomed the step of the government and said: “It was a long-pending proposal. The people of this region will be benefited. Several people, who are in jobs, can also pursue studies through the university,” said the former vice-chancellor.

However, some referred the announcement as “crumbs”. Charted accountant Jagyan Narayana Pradhan said: “There was no need for a second university in Sambalpur. Ignou is already functioning with its study centre in G.M. College. The state government is simply trying to balance the situation after denying the IIM.”